Annual audit presented
By Melinda L. Lucas
Albany ISD trustees heard the 2020-2021 financial review during a meeting on Monday, Sept. 20, but no action was taken.
CPA Cameron Gulley presented the audit for last school year as “pending,” advising that no action be taken until figures are received from the Community Foundation of Abilene regarding Albany ISD’s investments.
Gulley noted that the Foundation account now has close to $5 million, and investment earnings through July were just under $500,000.
“I never would have thought five years ago that this fund would have sustained itself, but it’s doing that and more,” said Gulley.
He did not cite any compliance issues and noted that the district is in good financial shape, despite the state-mandated tax rate compression and a decrease in tax revenue.
“COVID has brought more revenue to all districts, directly and indirectly, and that will continue to flow for the next three years,” said the auditor. “TEA has publicly stated that they expect district fund balances to increase because of federal funding, and they’re not going to penalize districts because of that. I’ve seen more districts operating in the black than I’ve ever seen before.”
He also commended AISD business manager Angelyn Faith for her exceptional work and stated that of the 52 school districts he audits, he wanted his daughter, who is a new accountant in his office, to shadow Faith for awhile earlier this month, because “Angelyn does it right.”
The audit will be officially approved by the board once the Community Foundation of Abilene provides final numbers for the AISD Foundation account, and the audit report will be published at that time.
Other Business
•Supt. Jonathan Scott went over the preliminary plans for use of the ESSER II funding to address loss of education during COVID, stating that the district intends to “try to spend where it is most beneficial to the kids, as cleanly and trackable as possible.”
•Malarie Sutton and Ragan Riley, representing the Albany PTO, told the board about some ideas that the group wants to sponsor and fund, including renovation of the secondary restrooms and possible student parking lot painting.
•The board extended the policy allowing eight additional days for teacher sick leave due to COVID for this school year, retroactive to August 2021.
•Trustees also decided that their local guideline of “three readings” for every policy change could be reduced to one reading, with the understanding that they can always “pull out a section” if they have concerns.
•The county 4-H organization was officially sanctioned as an AISD extracurricular activity, and county Extension agent Kelsey Bell was granted adjunct faculty staff member status.
•A “Standard Operating Procedure Manual” for board members was adopted on the third and final reading.
•Scott reported that the district has opted to continue with remote conferencing rather than remote instruction for students with COVID or in quarantine, even though TEA is now allowing districts to again provide combined or synchronous learning.
•Both campus principals reported on numerous activities, as well as testing being conducted to assess learning loss.
